GARDEN GROVE HIGH won its CIF-SS football playoff opener Thursday while the Anaheim Ducks beat the Carolina Hurricanes.

Garden Grove High’s football team took another step toward its announced goal of a CIF-SS championship with a 34-24 win over Laguna Hills in a Division 8 first round game Thursday at the Argonaut field.

Grove (9-2) posted its second win this season over the Hawks, having won a 20-13 decision on Sept. 30. The Argos will face the winner of Friday’s contest between Yorba Linda and Kaiser High of Fontana in quarterfinal action on Nov. 18.

The Argonauts kept the ball on the ground for most of the game, relying on a stout defense and a bevy of runners to control the action. They benefitted from four turnovers, three of them interceptions.

Quarterback Ruben Mendoza threw for just five yards, but ran for 81. Other top rushers for Grove were Anthony Herrera (119 yards) and Dominek Sanchez (81).

Games Friday night involving teams serving the Garden Grove-Huntington Beach-Westminster area include:

• Newbury Park at Edison (Division 3)
• Huntington Beach at Tustin (Division 7)
• Pacifica at Pasadena Poly (Division 10)
• Westminster at Katella (Division 11)
• Heritage Christian/Northridge at Rancho Alamitos (Division 11).

DUCKS RAIN ON THE HURRICANES

Jacob Silfverberg scored two goals and had two assists Thursday night to lead the Anaheim Ducks to a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh.

Ryan Kesler added two goals and Jonathan Bernier had 28 saves for Anaheim.

The win improved the Orange County team’s record to 7-5-3, worth 17 points and second place in the NHL Pacific Division. The Ducks are back in action Saturday visiting the Nashville Predators (5-5-3).